Rooney, who faces Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday, having scored nine goals in his last nine appearances for United, was criticized by Ferguson after missing from the penalty spot for the second time this season during the FA Cup third-round replay against West Ham United last month, the Telegraph reports.

The miss was United's fifth from nine penalties so far this season and Ryan Giggs has since scored from the spot against Fulham in the FA Cup, and Ferguson has warned his players that they cannot afford to spurn more chances from score from 12 yards, the paper added.

Rooney admits that his failure against West Ham, when he shot over the crossbar, convinced him that he no longer deserved the role of penalty taker.

Rooney said honestly it was his choice since his previous penalties weren't good enough, adding he went in to speak with the manager.

Rooney said he told Ferguson that he has spoken to Van Persie and informed him that he can take the penalties, adding at a big club like United, to miss two penalties like he did and not hit the target wasn't good enough. (ANI)